A WORLD FIRST - STATUS REPORT FROM YEAR 2000 NATIONAL PROGRAM OFFICE
OTTAWA, Dec. 1 /CNW/ - Joe Boivin, Director of the National Millennium
Foundation in Ottawa, which is serving as the Year 2000 National Program
Office, today released the Foundation's first monthly status report.
Mr. Boivin says it will provide a much needed national focus of standards and
leadership to solve the threat of the Year 2000 technology crisis. Joe, who
is just winding down his successful role as Year 2000 Director at CIBC, is
adamant that there is still time to fix the most serious part of the problem.
''If we give it the same priority that we would give to a serious illness
facing a family member, we can do it'', says Joe.
December 1997 Status Report
Year 2000 National Program Office of Canada
''Do not gamble with our children's future''.
Many of our parents and grandparents made significant sacrifices to
provide a better future for their children. The year 2000 represents a major
threat. We must raise awareness. Everyone can help.
THE PROBLEM
A worldwide technology virus is spreading faster than we can fix it.
Only a few understand the danger. Time is quickly running out.
THE APPROACH
We cannot fix what we do not understand. We need more information so
that key trouble spots can be pinpointed. Anyone who has attempted to fix the
problem in a large organization understands the need for a focused and
coordinated attack.
NEXT STEPS
Country level Program offices need to be created to coordinate national
solutions. This allows for consistent strategies to avoid duplication of
effort and maximize progress. A global tracking and reporting mechanism will
provide the overview.
GLOBAL VIEW
The current status at the global level is dismal. Only Canada has
created a National Program Office. The Year 2000 threat must compete with the
many other issues that occupy the world's attention. U.S. readiness will be
the key. Score Card: Total Countries: 150+ National Program Offices: 1
NATIONAL VIEW
A Year 2000 National Program Office, based in Ottawa, was formed on
Nov. 26, 1997. Funding will be provided by corporate sponsors, private
donations, and any income generated from public speaking engagements or
consulting assignments. Canada has taken a leadership position and will
continue to develop country level solutions for export. The Canadian Banking
Industry represents one of the most advanced Year 2000 programs in the world.
Others that are just starting can reuse their solutions. The National Program
Office will coordinate solutions across the country by establishing consistent
strategies, reporting progress, facilitating focus groups, and providing
overall leadership. Status metrics for various industry sectors and
governments will be published starting Jan. 1, 1998.
DEFAULT STANDARDS
The following items are default standards for all Year 2000 activities.
Despite imperfections, they represent the opportunity to end debate and move
to action.
1. Definition of compliance: Use the British standard. Go to
www.year2000researchgroup.com for details.
2. Interfaces: No change to date formats in any internal or external
interfaces. Anyone initiating a change to a date format is liable for
any downstream costs to accommodate the change.
3. Metrics: Start reporting three numbers each month. Total spent to
date, planned for calendar 98, and planned for calendar 99.
The sector profiles this creates will be an easy way to tell which
areas are in trouble. Inability to produce these numbers is the first
sign of a serious problem.
4. Facilities: Leave this category for later. Early indications suggest,
only a few issues and the current leaders on this topic will share
their information soon.
5. Miscellaneous: Items such as photocopiers, fax, pager, cell phone are
not critical. Ignore them and focus on the more important areas.
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For further information: The National Millennium Foundation, c/o Doug Lagasse, Director of Research of
The Year 2000 Research Group Inc., 888-362-8744 or 613-820-3272. E-mail:
dlagasse@year2000researchgroup.com
YEAR 2000 RESEARCH GROUP INC. has 2 releases in this database.
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